Meanings of 奠
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About 奠
Podcast: 奠
Podcast: 奠
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AI Study Notes for 奠
定 (dìng) — use 奠 when referring to formal settings or rituals, while 定 is more general for fixing or determining something.
This character is typically used in formal contexts, especially related to ceremonies or rituals. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding characters, so pay attention to tone: 奠 (diàn) is pronounced with a falling tone. Common collocations include 奠基 (diàn jī, to lay a foundation) and 奠酒 (diàn jiǔ, to offer wine as a libation).
While 奠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to concepts of respect and formality found in HSK Level 4. Students should focus on its use in cultural contexts and its pronunciation to avoid confusion with other characters.
Learners often confuse 奠 with 定 (dìng) due to their similar pronunciation and components. For example, saying '我奠了这个计划' (Wǒ diàn le zhège jìhuà) instead of '我定了这个计划' (Wǒ dìng le zhège jìhuà) can lead to misunderstanding, as 定 is more appropriate for 'to decide' or 'to fix' a plan.
Pronunciation of 奠
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Etymology of 奠
Pictograph of alchohol (酉) being poured out as a a libation for the dead.
A man 大 lifting up an offering of wine 酋
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 奠
Pictograph of alchohol (酉) being poured out as a a libation for the dead.
- 1The giveawayA man 大 lifting up an offering of wine 酋
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 奠? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 奠?
Decomposition of 奠
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 奠?
How to say to fix in Chinese
“to fix” in Chinese is奠
The character 奠 (diàn) primarily means to settle or fix something in place. It is often used in formal contexts, especially when referring to rituals or paying respects, such as in funerary practices where libations are offered to the deceased. Its nuanced meanings also include establishing foundations, both literally and metaphorically.
When to use 奠
This character is typically used in formal contexts, especially related to ceremonies or rituals. Learners often confuse it with similar-sounding characters, so pay attention to tone: 奠 (diàn) is pronounced with a falling tone. Common collocations include 奠基 (diàn jī, to lay a foundation) and 奠酒 (diàn jiǔ, to offer wine as a libation).
奠 or something close to it
定 (dìng) — use 奠 when referring to formal settings or rituals, while 定 is more general for fixing or determining something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奠 with 定 (dìng) due to their similar pronunciation and components. For example, saying '我奠了这个计划' (Wǒ diàn le zhège jìhuà) instead of '我定了这个计划' (Wǒ dìng le zhège jìhuà) can lead to misunderstanding, as 定 is more appropriate for 'to decide' or 'to fix' a plan.
Write 奠
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Practice writing 奠 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 奠
奠 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
主队再进一球从而____定了优势。
The home side rubbed in their superiority with a further goal.
Example Sentences for 奠 (1)
Word Family of 奠
Compound Meaning
What does 奠定 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 奠
You can say 奠酒以祭祖 (diàn jiǔ yǐ jì zǔ), meaning 'offer wine to pay respects to ancestors'.
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